An Cosantóir

34 HEADSPACE & TIMING It has been strange walking around DUBLIN over the last few days as the country emerges from the pandemic. There is certainly an air of relief and even a small bit of euphoria to be detected in the faces of passers-by and shoppers. This is to be expected. At the same time it is also clear that there is a bit of unease and uncertainty in the air, even a bit of fear about how we are going to get back into the routine that we had before COVID reached our shores. After all it has been two years, and it is fair to say that we have all had a tough time, some of us more than others. Each one of us will have our own personal journey to get to the new reality of living with COVID and returning to some form of normal living. So what I would like in this edition of CONNECT is to look at a few simple ways to help everyone get back to normal as easily as possible. The first thing I would say is that there are a lot of resources available to help you! In some ways there is almost too much information available, especially online, and it can be bewildering! Mental Health Ireland and SeeChange have teamed up to produce a pocket guide for emerging from the pandemic which is really useful – You can access and download it for free at www.mentalhealthireland.ie . This guide discusses stress and anxiety, especially related to COVID, and offers some useful tips on how to manage. Within the home it is important that we are all in agreement with our remaining hygiene and safety measures with regard to COVID. It's important to keep conversations open and frequent and that we keep an eye on each other, especially on children, to ensure that everyone is comfortable and as happy as possible. Now that we can get out and about again it is a great idea to plan a bit of fun together – Things that we haven't done together for a long time can be a great way to approach the new reality with confidence and positivity. If you are leading a team then you can make sure that people are welcomed back into the routine – While the pandemic has been business as usual for most Defence Forces personnel, many of us have been very busy working in support of the Government's pandemic effort and will now be coming back to unit life. Everyone will be looking for direction and leadership and a clear understanding of the new routine. Take the time to ensure everyone is properly briefed and oriented. Encourage self-care measures (your local PSS team can help with that), and try to maintain strong lines of communication within your team. If you are serving overseas and would like some support in this then please contact us in PSS. The pocket guide mentions the Five Ways to Wellbeing (New Economics Foundation, 2008) which work well in all situations and particularly now. Connect: Make the effort to talk to people around you, whether at home or at work – don't let it happen by itself. Be Active: Stay as fit as you are able – This doesn't have to be hours in the gym, but simply walking, dancing, cycling or whatever suits your age and ability. Take Notice: Take the time to be aware of the world around you, and of the world inside you. Be aware of your own feelings and concerns and try to reflect on By Lt Col John Martin HEADSPACE & TIMING

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